December 04, 2013 10:38 PM CSTDecember 04, 2013 11:21 PM CSTSMU coach June Jones says he has contract extension offer in hand, will 'probably' sign it after season

SMU coach June Jones says he has contract extension offer in hand, will 'probably' sign it after season

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Smiley N. Pool/AP

Houston's Greg Ward Jr. (1) catches a 19-yard touchdown pass as Southern Methodist defensive back Jay Scott (8) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Reliant Stadium, Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, in Houston.

You can expect the school to move quickly after the season to avoid uncertainty during recruiting.

It seems unlikely that SMU officials would change their minds regarding the contract renewal offer, given Jones’ unprecedented run of success. But there is no buyout clause in the final year.

After going 1-11 in his first season at SMU, Jones led the Mustangs to their first winning record since 1997. The Mustangs also snapped a 25-year bowl drought, beating Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.

From 1989, SMU’s first season after the “death penalty,” through 2007, four coaches had combined for only one winning season.

Jones’ teams have finished .500 or better in four straight seasons and have been to a school-record four consecutive bowls.

But SMU (5-6 4-3 American Athletic Conference) is fighting to finish .500 this year despite a dramatic offensive improvement.

With quarterback Garrett Gilbert sidelined with a knee injury, the Mustangs lost to Houston, 34-0, last week. That was the first shutout of Jones’ career.

Although attendance has increased in four of the last five seasons, the Mustangs’ average attendance has decreased by 1,340 this year. SMU’s average of 19,952 ranks last in the American Athletic Conference.

Jones, completing his sixth year at SMU, signed an extension to his original five-year deal in 2011.

Public flirtations with Maryland and especially Arizona State cooled some fans on him.

As for Jones, he said two years ago that he planned to stay on the Hilltop until his coaching days were over:

“I have an inner-city ministry that I started and really feel I have more work to do,” he said, “and that’s why I’m going to be in Dallas probably for the rest of my career.”

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